UK and Ireland Archives - Page 81 of 94

Comments Off

HOROLOGICAL COMPENDIUM IN SILVER, probably English, c. 1663, standing 3-3/16″ (8 cm) tall when assembled. Constructed of silver (with some internal fittings of heavy silver plated brass), the compendium disassembles somewhat as a “penner,” into five components: (1) a tapered eight-sided body very finely engraved with two columns of “Dayes” from 1 to 31, and twelve columns of repeating sequential day letters “a” through “g”,” one column for each “31-day” month of the year. Three internal holes in the Read More...

08 Jul

Pantochronometer or pocket Sundial/Compass.

By Van Leest Antiques

Comments Off

The patent Pantochronometer is a pocket Sundial/Compass that can be used to tell the time all over the world, C 1895. The base has the instuctions on it which are just about readable, see pic 4. Case looks to be sycamore and has a lovely patina, with no splits. The compass works well on a level surface. The face/dial is still clear and does not appear to be faded. The thin glass dome is in tact. Diameter 5,5 cm. Look Read More...

07 Jul

Fortin type barometer by Philip Harris Ltd, circa 1950.

By Hatchwell Antiques

Comments Off

A Fortin type barometer in glazed oak observation case by Philip Harris Ltd of Birmingham. Circa 1950. Maker’s label to top of case door Case height: 134.5 cm. – 53 inches. The Fortin type barometer is named after Jean Nicolas Fortin (1750–1831) a French maker of scientific instruments, he introduced this highly accurate design of barometer in the late 18th century. Read More...

07 Jul

UNUSUAL HORIZONTAL DIAL

By TESSERACT

Comments Off

UNUSUAL HORIZONTAL DIAL, English, 1789, signed “Onions, 1789, Lat. 51°30′.” The 3″ x 4″ (8 x 10 cm) brass dial is set into a tabernacle-shaped fruitwood carrying case, complete with early handwritten equation of time table. The brass dial itself is beautifully executed, the folding gnomon pierced and engraved with floral design, the chapter ring divided every five minutes, the inset compass surrounded by engraved vines and flowers, the glazed compass itself with engraved brass compass rose and finely Read More...

07 Jul

TRAVELLER’S COMPENDIUM WITH SUNDIAL

By TESSERACT

Comments Off

TRAVELLER’S COMPENDIUM WITH SUNDIAL, English, c.1840, signed “T. Staight, London.” The 2-3/8″ (6 cm) diameter turned disk supports a circular mercury thermometer with Fahrenheit and Reamur scales, and a fine floating gnomon compass / sundial, glazed with a carved surround. Condition is very fine but for a crack in the glass; it is complete with the original domed wood case bound in red Morocco leather. The maker, Thomas Staight, gained his freedom in the fanmaker’s guild in 1828, and Read More...

06 Jul

Telescope & tripod – Spencer, Browning & Rust.

By Scientific Inspirations

Comments Off

Single draw long marine telescope with mahogany taper barrel, signed, ‘Spencer, Browning and Rust’. They worked from 1784 – 1840. Fully extended it measures 48″ (122 cms) and 38″ (97 cms) when closed with a main lens diameter of 2″ (52mm). It gives a fine sharp image when viewed through with a power of 25 x. The telescope is mounted on an oak tripod. Read More...

05 Jul

FOUR-SUNDIAL COMPENDIUM

By TESSERACT

Comments Off

FOUR-SUNDIAL COMPENDIUM, English, c. second half 17th century, signed “Phil. Edwards.” Constructed of fine boxwood, this unusual diptych compendium measures 4″ x 4-1/4″ x 1″ (10 x 11 x 2.5 cm) closed. Surface Ia is divided, every quarter hour, with a twice-12 hour scale full circle, and would work in summer, when the sun is above the plane of the equator, with a central straight pin as gnomon. Surface Ib is again divided, half-circle, from 6am to 6pm, functioning Read More...

04 Jul

GOOD POCKET COMPASS / SUNDIAL

By TESSERACT

Comments Off

GOOD POCKET COMPASS / SUNDIAL, English, c. second quarter 18th century, the turned brass case and screw-on cover 3-3/8″ (8.5 cm) in diameter. The glazed compass is mounted with a beautifully designed and engraved paper rose incorporating 16 directionals, circumferential degree scale, running leaf tip design, and exquisite floral patterns. An identical paper is applied in the lid. The original shaped iron needle has an eight-sided pyramidal brass hub. Atop the glass is a fine brass chapter ring (divided Read More...

03 Jul

HENRY SUTTON’S FORM OF MAGNETIC AZIMUTH DIALLING COMPASS

By TESSERACT

Comments Off

HENRY SUTTON’S FORM OF MAGNETIC AZIMUTH DIALLING COMPASS, English, c. third quarter 17th century, unsigned. Set in an eight-sided wood mount, 4-3/4″ (12 cm) across, the compass has a fine printed card, a most elegantly shaped needle, and a circumferential wooden degree circle. The card has degree scales, twice-12 hour scales, calendar scale, solar declination scale, and 32-point rose. Condition is good noting the wood housing is cut on one side (where it may have attached to a plane Read More...

28 Jun

A Boxwood Sector, an Ash Universal Alloy Balance, a Model Eye and a Nettleship type Ophthalmoscope by Pillischer

By Fletcher

Comments Off

An unsigned boxwood sector £30 SOLD An Ash dental alloy balance in good condition £70 A model eye with a single retinal image, brass with some losses to black paint £70 A ophthalmoscope by Pillischer, London, box lid detached, Dr. Edward Nettleship type, supplementary lens missing, ebony handle £120 Read More...

28 Jun

Two Victorian Photographs of Vertically Challenged People

By Fletcher

Comments Off

A Victorian Photograph c1890 of Burmese siblings Smaun and his sister Fatama Sing Hpoo. Fatama died aged 22 at 71cms. A Victorian family (possibly) c1890 of nine vertically challenged people unidentified Read More...

26 Jun

PILLISCHER’S INNOVATIVE POCKET MICROSCOPE

By TESSERACT

Comments Off

PILLISCHER’S UNIQUE “LENTICULAR” DESIGN — A STAGE WITH MICROSCOPE ATTACHED, English, c. 1850, signed “Invented by M. Pillischer, Optician &c, London, No. 136.” Made in very limited numbers, this remarkable 3″ (7.6 cm) long Pillischer design features a spring stage for 1″ x 3″ glass slides. Mounted to this hand-held brass stage are some fairly sophisticated accessories, including wheel of stops, substage concave mirror in yoke on double-jointed arm, swiveling lens holder with precision fine focus control, and two Read More...